Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Depression in men a focus of awareness month events

STEVENS POINT – A talk about depression among men, a movie about autism and a game with blindfolded players aim to increase understanding of disabilities. The events are part of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Celebrate All Abilities month.

Depression in men is often not recognized by professionals and is under reported by men, who are less likely than women to seek help for depression. Yet men who struggle with depression have difficulty with parenting, partner relationships and are more likely to abuse substances and engage in reckless behaviors.

Men are three to four times more likely to complete suicide than women, according to Mark Meier, founder and executive director of Face It, a Minneapolis-based organization focused on the needs of men with depression. He will be one of three men sharing their struggles with depression on Oct. 29.

The presentation, "Understanding Depression: Real Men, Real Stories ... Real Recovery," will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Laird Room of Dreyfus University Center. Meier, Bill Dehkes and Mike Beardsley, all involved with Face It, will talk about how depression and anxiety have touched their lives, families and careers, and how they have become more positive and productive.

Other events include:

• The movie "Temple Grandin" will be shown at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the University Theatre in Dreyfus University Center. Claire Danes stars in this biography of an animal scientist and advocate for people with autism spectrum disorders. It is free and open to the public.

• Goalball tournament, a sport for the visually impaired, will be played by UWSP students wearing blindfolds to increase awareness of visual impairment. Community spectators are welcome to watch. It will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday in Room 110 of the Health Enhancement Center.

The events are sponsored by the UWSP Disability Advisory Council.

The community and campus are invited to attend, said Jim Joque, director of the Disability and Assistive Technology Center. "Celebrating All Abilities includes everyone — those with disabilities and those without, making these events inclusive," he said.